Tonga get the result they needed with a decent win over Namibia. They were too strong in the set piece for the Africans, especially in the scrum, and at times they played some nice stuff.
Namibia wouldn’t lie down though and scored three tries, two from mauls to Burger.
Plucky again from Namibia but they’ll be a little disappointed they couldn’t hold on to the ball.
The victory keeps Tonga alive but they’ll need to be much, much better to compete with Argentina and the All Blacks.
Final Score:
Tonga 35
Namibia 21
Tonga will be looking to get its Rugby World Cup campaign back on track when it faces Namibia in Exeter. Join The Roar from 1.45am (AEDT) for live scores and coverage of all the action from this Pool C clash.
The Tongans were surprised by the Georgians in their opening game, losing to the European minnows. The Pacific Islanders will be fired up to right that wrong and take the game to the Namibians.
Tonga beat France in New Zealand in 2011 and will want to make a similar impact at this tournament.
They have been forced into several changes because of injury with Nili Latu to miss the match due to a hamstring strain, so deputies Viliami Ma’afu and Siale Piutau will co-captain the team in his absence.
In all they have made nine changes, the second most ever made by Tonga between successive World Cup matches, to put together a very experienced 15. This team has 327 Test caps worth of experience in its starting line-up, their most ever in a World Cup match.
At an average of 30 years and 200 days this is also Tonga’s oldest starting line-up in a World Cup match.
Aleki Lutui, 37, is the fourth oldest player at this World Cup, and he gets a run. Soane Tonga’uiha will also play in his third World Cup, joining six others including Vungakoto Lilo.
Tonga’s opponent, Namibia, was solid in its World Cup opening loss to the All Blacks. Their coach, Phil Davies, has rung the changes for the encounter with Tonga in Exeter.
Davies makes eight amendments to the starting XV who lost 58-14 to the world champions. Two of last week’s team – scrum-half Eugene Jantjies, who has a bruised cheekbone, and tight-head prop Raoul Larsen, who has not shaken off a hamstring injury – were not considered for the game at Sandy Park through injury.
Eneill Buitendag comes in at scrum-half on Tuesday afternoon and will partner Theuns Kotze while Johan Deysel keeps his place at inside-centre. Casper Viviers comes in at loose-head against the Tongans, who have had 10 days to recover from their disappointing defeat by Georgia.
The Africans have never won a match at a World Cup so will be out to break that duck.
Join The Roar from 1.45am (AEDT) for commentary from Sandy Park.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Well done John!
John Davidson
Roar Guru
MATCH RESULT Tonga get the result they needed with a decent win over Namibia. They were too strong in the set piece for the Africans, especially in the scrum, and at times they played some nice stuff. Namibia wouldn't lie down though and scored three tries, two from mauls to Burger. Plucky again from Namibia but they'll be a little disappointed they couldn't hold on to the ball. The victory keeps Tonga alive but they'll need to be much, much better to compete with Argentina and NZ. Tonga 35 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Tonga 35 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'80 Final chance for Namibia. But Tonga push them off the scrum but then cough the ball up, of course. And that's full-time. Tonga 35 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'79 Knock on from Tonga after they break from the scrum. Tonga's ball-handling has let them down today. They could have had 50 if they were a bit more ruthless. Tonga 35 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'78 Penalty to Tonga after another good scrum. Burger deemed offside. Tonga kick it clear and that's pretty much the game. Man of the match to Jack Ram. Tonga 35 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'77 Namibian knock on from the lineout. And then there's a bit of handbags between both teams. Tonga 35 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'76 Penalty to Namibia as Tonga was offside. The Africans try to spin it wide but their hands failed them. They kick for the corner again. Tonga 35 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'76 Penalty goes to Namibia. Tonga are marched back a good 30, 40 odd metres. Namibia now close to Tonga's line. Try coming? Tonga 35 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'75 TMO checking a potential dangerous play from a Tongan player.... Tonga 35 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'75 Bench being emptied for Namibia. But they're offside and Tonga get the ball. Namibia have given away a staggering 14 penalties. Tonga 35 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'73 Morath's attempt is good. Tonga 35 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'73 Stevens on for Namibia. Penalty to Tonga. They're 22m out from Namibia's line. They'll have a shot at goal. Also on for Namibia is de Klerk and de la Harpe. Tonga 32 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'71 Namibia recycle the ball. That's seven phases. But they get isolated and cough up a penalty. What a shame. Tonga 32 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'70 Du Plessis on for Namibia. But they keep kicking the ball away for no reason. It's a poor tactic that they persist with. But then Tonga knock on which gives them a sniff. Tongan mistakes keeping them in it. Tonga 32 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'68 Awesome conversion from the sideline. Tonga 32 Namibia 21
John Davidson
Roar Guru
TRY NAMIBIA Burger gets his second and Namibia's third try of the day from a maul. It's the first time Namibia has ever scored 3 tries in a World Cup game. Tonga 32 Namibia 19
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'67 They go for another rolling maul and it's a try for Burger! Tonga 32 Namibia 14
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'66 Penalty to Namibia and they have a lineout close to Tonga's line. Tonga 32 Namibia 14
John Davidson
Roar Guru
'65 Philander on for Trump for Namibia. Tonga 32 Namibia 14